“A cigarette a day keeps the dentist in pay”
I grew up learning about the woes of smoking, especially its negative effects on the overall health while less emphasized were its effects on the oral health. Tobacco is contained in cigarettes, shisha, cigars, e-cigarettes, etc. Marijuana (cannabis/weed/kush) smoking is not left out as it also does damage to the soft and hard oral structures; the lips, gums, tongue, teeth, throat, and so on. Smoking directly affects your oral health because it reduces blood flow to your gums, reduces vitamin C levels needed to keep the gums healthy, and increases the temperature in the mouth leading to damage of important cells.
Now let’s get into it! Some effects of smoking on the oral health include;
Bad breath
People who smoke usually have what is commonly known as “smoker’s breath”. Even for some time after you have exhaled the smoke, your lungs still retain a small amount, which affects the smell of your breath. Chemical compounds from the substance smoked can also mix with the saliva and cause bad breath. Not only do many tobacco products leave their own odor in your breath, they can also dry out your mouth and impede the cleansing activity of saliva. Gum disease from smoking can also cause bad breath.
Stained teeth
The main cause of dental staining for smokers is nicotine and tar. The nicotine and tar from smoking seeps into the tooth’s enamel through tiny pores, leaving the teeth discolored. Discoloration from smoking could be yellow, brown, or even black. The roof of the mouth and tongue can also get discolored.
Dryness of the mouth
Smoking leaves the mouth dry as it leads to reduction in the flow of saliva in the mouth. Saliva plays a crucial role in quality oral health as it keeps the mouth hydrated, helps in food digestion, regulates the pH level and minimizes the harmful bacteria that can cause tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. Dryness of the mouth hampers these saliva functions and can also cause bad breath, like was mentioned earlier.
Increased buildup of plaque on the teeth
The reduced salivary flow makes it easier for oral bacteria to stick to the teeth. The buildup of
plaque can lead to gum disease. These can accumulate and harden into
calculus, which are more difficult to remove.
Dulled sense of taste and smell
Smoking, and especially the toxic chemicals cause structural and functional changes in the olfactory (smell) and gustatory (taste) cells, causing reduced perception of smell and taste respectively.
Delayed healing after extraction or trauma to the mouth
Tobacco affects healing after tooth extractions, as it reduces blood flow and supply of oxygen to the oral tissues. More generally, smoking suppresses the body’s immune system and delays healing processes.
Gum disease
Smoking can lead to
gum diseaseby affecting the attachment of bone and soft tissue to the teeth. It interferes with the normal function of gum tissue cells, making smokers more susceptible to infections, such as periodontal disease (gum disease), and also impairs blood flow to the gums, which may affect wound healing. Gum disease is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults.
Oral cancer
It has been found that approximately 90% of people with cancer of the mouth, tongue, lips, and throat use or have used tobacco. The risk of developing these cancers significantly increases with the amount of tobacco smoked. People that smoke are six times more likely than non-smokers to develop these cancers.
You’ve come a long way reading to this point. Thumbs up!
Now, how can you avoid these as a current smoker, or past smoker, or you’re even looking to start the act? You need to visit your dentist to get checked and commence treatment as or if needed. You would also be advised appropriately, and possibly start a cessation program if you’re a current smoker who wishes to quit.
Remember to visit your dentist regularly, floss, brush your teeth twice daily, and keep that breath fresh and nice!
Photocredit; bnbtobacco
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